"A letter for me?" Karin froze at Oliver's words.
Who would write to him? In all of Quel'Thalas, there were only a handful of people he could really call acquaintances.
After saying goodbye to Oliver, Karin followed his directions to the mailbox.
Oliver had been right. A letter lay safely inside the mailbox... It was elegantly wrapped, and Karin carefully took it out and opened it.
The letter was signed by... Liadrin!
"Karin,
It's been such a long time since I last saw you. Have you been well?
I've actually wanted to write to you all this time, but I never quite dared, because I was a little worried... Haha, you won't be angry with me for bothering you out of the blue, will you?
Life here at the Sun Temple is quite pleasant. Both Mr. Vondelor and the other priests treat me very well! It's just a little boring, since there isn't a single friend here I can really confide in! Sometimes I miss those days in Fairbreeze Village a few months ago. We had such lovely chats every day back then!
Did you invent that spell called 'Melf's Acid Arrow'? Why did you give it such a strange name? An... elder of mine, I suppose you could call her, had nothing but praise for it, and she hardly ever praises anyone. You did wonderfully, Karin!
Also, Karin, have the symptoms you suffered in the woods gotten any better? I specifically asked some high-ranking priests about them, and they said they might be related to damage to your mental faculties... So please don't push yourself so hard, Karin. Get more rest. We still have such long lives ahead of us, don't we... And don't worry too much about it, either. I'm studying that subject. Hehe, I'll definitely be able to cure you someday!
Do you know what, Karin? Yesterday, I successfully chanted Divine Hymn for the first time. That's a sixth-ring divine spell... Even I was stunned, and Mr. Vondelor was absolutely overjoyed! He even said my achievements would surely surpass his someday! Some priests came over to ask me what my secret was... There really wasn't any secret. I was struggling so, so hard with the chant, then suddenly I thought of you, and strength filled me at once. Hehe, I'm certainly not telling them that!
Oh, right, Karin, Mr. Vondelor asked me to go to Tranquillien. Apparently, quite a few wounded rangers have arrived there lately, and I'll be responsible for caring for them! I'll probably be staying there for a few months, so if you write back, you can send your letter straight there!
Also, once things in Tranquillien are settled, I'll ask Mr. Vondelor for some leave! Then I'll visit Fairbreeze Village again, and we'll be able to see each other... I can't wait for that day!
Liadrin, at the Sun Temple"
After carefully reading every word, Karin lowered the letter, a gentle smile touching his lips.
He hadn't expected Liadrin to be heading to the Ghostlands as well. It seemed she might also become involved in this war against the trolls! Perhaps he would even have a chance to see her there.
At that thought, Karin hurriedly took out some parchment and a quill... He still hadn't mastered Scribing, so he could only write the old-fashioned way!
"Liadrin,
I was happy to receive your letter. Truly!
But I'm sorry. I went to Northrend a while ago and only just returned, so I wasn't able to reply sooner!
I simply have to tell you what a wonderful adventure I had in Northrend.
I met a human ranger named Nathanos and a dwarf named Bryan, and together we ventured into an ancient vrykul castle!
..."
Tranquillien was a small town in the central Ghostlands, perched on the western slopes of Sunsail Peak in a formidable defensive position!
It was also the only commanding height in all the Ghostlands, overlooking the entire Dead Scar. From here, they could monitor every move of the Zul'Aman trolls and even launch an attack on Zul'Aman at any time!
The headquarters of the high elf ranger guard had been established in Tranquillien!
Though full-scale war between the elves and trolls had yet to break out, scattered clashes had already begun.
A group of wounded rangers were carried on stretchers into a makeshift tent in southern Tranquillien.
"General Sylvanas, some of our ranger detachments have clashed with troll scouts recently. We've suffered a few casualties!" Outside the tent, a young ranger scout reported to the Ranger-General.
"It seems the trolls have caught on to our intentions..." Sylvanas Windrunner wore a suit of pale green leather armor over her slender, athletic frame... She frowned, apparently lost in thought.
"Where's Lor'themar? Have him come see me!" she ordered.
"Lord Thalorian seems to have gone to escort the priests from the Sun Temple..."
"Escort the priests?" Sylvanas was rather puzzled. Couldn't that sort of task have been left to any ranger captain?
"Yes, he said he'd be back shortly... Wait, here he comes!"
Looking in the direction the ranger scout indicated, Sylvanas saw a party of priests... They weren't all low-ranking priests, either. She could sense a powerful affinity for the Holy Light in several of them!
"It seems the Sun Temple hasn't been stingy with its aid!" Sylvanas nodded in satisfaction, strode over, and called out, "Thank you for your help, Quel'dorei of the Sun Temple. Your arrival will save many of our people from death!"
"There's no need to be so formal, General Sylvanas!" The priest leading the group looked very young, perhaps not even a century old. "It is merely our duty as followers of the Holy Light..."
"Show them inside..." Sylvanas instructed. "And Lor'themar, you stay!"
Lor'themar Thalorian, Sylvanas's most trusted adjutant, stepped up before her.
"Have the mage forces the Council promised still not arrived?" Sylvanas asked anxiously.
"They have not, General!" Lor'themar replied with a touch of sarcasm. "I'm sure you know just as well as I do how efficiently our Silvermoon Council operates!"
"Then we can only hope they come to their senses soon! Without high-ranking mages to support us, our rangers will suffer terrible losses against the trolls' hexers!" Sylvanas said helplessly.
"What about the low-ranking instructor mages? Have they joined their assigned Ranger Squads?" she continued.
"The vast majority are already in position. Of course, there are still a few we've yet to hear from..."